East Lansing, Michigan, Change City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment (November 2023)

East Lansing Change City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment
Election date November 7, 2023
Topic Local charter amendments and Local election date changes
Status Not on the ballot
Type Referral

East Lansing Change City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment was not on the ballot as a referral in East Lansing on November 7, 2023.

A "yes" vote would have supported changing the East Lansing city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.

A "no" vote would have opposed changing the East Lansing city elections to even-numbered years, thus keeping the city elections held on odd-numbered years.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Change City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment was as follows:

“

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE EAST LANSING CITY CHARTER TO CHANGE CITY ELECTIONS FROM ODD YEARS TO EVEN YEARS Currently, the City of East Lansing Charter establishes that regular City elections are to be held every November in each odd numbered year. The City Council is proposing that Charter Section 14.3 be amended to change the regular City elections from every odd numbered calendar year to every even numbered calendar year. As a result of this change, terms of elected City officials that currently expire in 2025 would be extended one year to the same date in 2026. Shall the amendment as proposed be adopted?

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the East Lansing City Council. However, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) did not sign off on the charter amendment. She cited the office of Attorney General Dana Nessel, who determined that a charter amendment is not required for East Lansing to change election dates.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Michigan

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Michigan.

How to vote in Michigan

Poll times

In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Michigan, a voter must be a United States citizen and a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days. Voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

Voters may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at clerk's offices in their county, city, or township, or at a state department branch office 15 days or earlier before an election.

Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day, voters can register in person at their local clerk's office by presenting proof of residency documentation. According to the Michigan Secretary of State's website:

“

Proof of residency is official documentation (paper or digital) that lists a voter’s current name and address. When registering to vote within 14 days of an election, voters must present one form of proof of residency in person at a local clerk’s office. Proof of residency examples include: Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. Passport A utility bill Insurance documents (health, car, home, etc.) A bank or credit card statement Financial aid or school enrollment documents A lease agreement A paycheck or other government check Other government document

”

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Michigan automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for or update a driver’s license or personal identification card. The state sends a notice to the person afterward allowing them to decline the voter registration.

The Michigan Department of Corrections must also work with the secretary of state to automatically register individuals who are released from incarceration. The state also automatically registers individuals who apply for Medicaid coverage with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Michigan has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Michigan allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Michigan law requires individuals to "be a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day to vote in that election," according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Michigan does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Eight states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Three states, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Michigan Voter Information Center, administered by the Michigan Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Michigan requires voters to present photo identification while voting.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of December 2025. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote. If this happens, expect a poll worker to ask you to sign a form before you vote that explains you didn’t have an ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted. ID types you can use to check in are: Michigan driver's license or state ID (may be expired) Driver's license or state ID issued by another state Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID U.S. passport Military photo ID Photo ID from an educational institution Tribal photo ID

”

Voters can obtain a state identification card at a secretary of state branch office for $10. Voters over the age of 65, voters who are blind, and voters whose driving privileges have been terminated due to a physical or mental disability can obtain an identification card for free. Additionally, voters who can present a reason for having the fee waived may also obtain an ID for free. Visit the Michigan secretary of state’s page or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) for more information.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2023
• Local charter amendments ballot measures

Michigan

• Michigan 2023 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Michigan
• East Lansing, Michigan

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas